AMSTERDAM, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Brewer Heineken (HEIN.AS), (HEIO.AS) still plans to exit Russia and sell its business there at a loss this year, it said on Wednesday, after a Dutch media report questioned whether it had followed through on its March 2022 promise to leave the country.
The story by investigative website Follow The Money reported that Heineken is still operating in Russia, including by selling its non-Heineken international brands such as Amstel, and by launching new products.
"We’re working hard to transfer our business to a viable buyer in very challenging circumstances and at significant financial loss to the company," Heineken said in a statement.
It said it expects a 300 million euro ($320 million) impairment on the business when it is sold, likely in the first half of 2023.
"In the meantime, our local colleagues are doing what they can to keep the business going to avoid nationalisation and to ensure their livelihoods are not at risk," Heineken said.
"There is no exchange of funds between Heineken and our local business in Russia, and we do not receive any dividends or royalties."
Reporting by Toby Sterling; Editing by Jan Harvey
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
garlicroastedpotato on February 23rd, 2023 at 02:26 UTC »
Anniversary of the war is a good time to re-announce your commitment to do something eventually.
Tigris-Jedi on February 23rd, 2023 at 01:46 UTC »
the article states they are still selling "new products"... what
kmurph72 on February 23rd, 2023 at 01:38 UTC »
There have been a few stories over the past few days about the fact that Heineken still had its business in Russia and even expanded the business when other companies left by imitating their products.